Archive | Eat RSS feed for this section

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of eating a tasty brunch at Tupelo Honey in Franklin, just outside of Nashville.  It serves a wide selection southern favorites with a delicious, unique twist.

The interior of Tupelo Honey is spacious, comfortable, and clean with modern decor.  Outside there is also a nice-sized porch to enjoy dining on, as well.

Our service was excellent, both attentive and friendly.  She was also kind enough to offer suggestions since it was my first time there.

First off, started the dining experience with homemade, fresh from the oven biscuits with homemade blueberry jam.  The biscuits were fluffy, mouth-watering, and delectable.  The jam was sweet, succulent, and the perfect pairing.

With such a tempting selection of unique drinks from the bar, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to endulge in one of their special drinks called cherry bomb frosé, an icy and refreshing blend of rosé, mint, lemon, maraschino liqueur, and bourbon cherry juice.  This frozen drink was slightly tart and a terrific concoction.  It was also so pretty, frozen, and pink with a small, artful swirl of darker pink on top, which was maraschino liqueur, served elegantly in a stemmed glass.  Yes, it’s probably what you would call a “girly drink”, just as pretty as it was tasty, and one that I could easily sip on outside on their sizeable porch all day long enjoying the nice, quiet surroundings of the upscale area it is nestled in.

For the main course, I ordered the Tupelo shrimp and grits.  My companion had the Creekstone Farms steak and eggs.  We also shared some of their Shoo Mercy sweet potato pancakes.

The Tupelo shrimp and grits were perfectly seasoned.  Served with an extra side of the flavorful, slightly hot Creole sauce to pour on top to season to taste for more spice.  The shrimp were fresh, nicely-seasoned, and a good size.  The grits, infused with adluh goat cheese, were flavorful and perfectly cooked.  There was also a delicious mixture of chorizo and peperonata in the center.  It was skillfully presented and this savory dish was positively scrumptious from the first bite to the last.

My companion had the Creekstone Farms steak & eggs.  The steak was cooked to perfection, so tender you could cut it easily with just a butter knife.  Served with sides of potato cracklins and maple bourbon bacon jam.  It was tasty, perfectly paired, and mouthwatering.

The Shoo Mercy sweet potato pancakes were hot off the griddle, fluffy, and delightfully-tasty with just the right blend of sweet seasonings.

The menu is priced in the medium range up to low $20s for main dishes.  Not cheap, but not overpriced, either.  Serving portions were generous and all served piping-hot fresh from the kitchen very quickly with attentive, friendly service.

Tupelo Honey is a chain of restaurants across the country serving food all made in a scratch kitchen with a menu that changes with each season and is unique to that location.   This location was opened only 2 years ago.  Located near Cool Springs Mall in Franklin at 2000 Meridian Blvd. on the corner nestled within a new, modern strip mall area.  Brunch is served only on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm.  Operating hours are Monday to Thursday: 11a – 9p. Friday: 11a – 10p. Saturday: 9a – 10p . Sunday: 9a – 8p.  It was named as best new restaurant in Franklin by Franklin Lifestyle Magazine in 2016.

Menus overseen by Chef Eric Gabrynowicz.  He is a four-time James Beard Award semifinalist, Top Newcomer from Zagat was voted Food and Wine Magazine’s “Peoples Best New Chef- New York.” He brings Tupelo Honey Southern inspired dishes that are simply crafted and made from scratch with responsibly sourced ingredients that bring the best of every season.

Tyler Alford is the chief mixologist.  He was born and raised in North Carolina and attended college in Mississippi, where his love of craft cocktails and mixology blossomed. Tyler honed his knowledge and skill while working at the award-winning Commander’s Palace Restaurant in New Orleans before bringing his passion to Tupelo Honey. He quickly introduced a beverage program focused on local, sustainable and quality products with classic techniques that has continued to earn Tupelo Honey multiple local and national awards for its cocktails rooted in the South.

This restaurant is defintely a new favorite of mine that I thoroughly enjoyed, and one that I will frequent as often as I can when in the Franklin area.  I’m already craving their delicious brunch again after just a couple of days.  It offers the best brunch in town in my opinion between the creative selection of tasty food, drinks, friendly staff, and welcoming atmosphere.  I highly recommend this dining establishment.  Get ready to be pleasantly surprised by such a flavorful, creative menu of southern fare all made from scratch kitchen served fresh and fast.